Chris Taylor

Chris Taylor Chris has a premium account Click to upgrade to Premium Chief Executive Officer at Govini Washington D.C. Metro Area 500+ connections Contact info Govini Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government Highlights Reach out to Chris for... Advising companies, Joining a nonprofit board, Paid consulting. Message Chris About As a global CEO and entrepreneur, I am passionate about building teams and great businesses. I have transformed small businesses into billion-dollar endeavors by aligning multi-cultural, multi-continental teams into one organization focused on one vision. As the CEO of a government services business, I grew annual revenues from $185 million to $730 million in three years and was selected as one of the "15 to Watch in 2012"​ by GovCon Executive magazine along with fellow CEOs and cabinet officials. As a startup CEO focused on creating new ways to employ more veterans, I was named one of HillVets'​ "100 of 2014"​ most influential veterans in America. I spent 14 years in the U.S. Marine Corps as an enlisted infantryman and Force Recon Marine. Twice selected for meritorious promotion, I earned my bachelor's degree at night while on active duty. I then attended the College of William & Mary and earned an MBA in strategy and management. I've also earned an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School focused on political economy and international security. While there, I was Director of the Harvard Defense & Security Initiative and a member of the Harvard Defense Leadership Project. I've also attended Harvard's Program for Senior Executives in National and International Security. I frequently speak at professional forums and have testified before Congress and the Commission on Wartime Contracting on integrated private sector solutions to national security challenges. I've appeared on MSNBC and CNN regarding global security challenges. I am a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Atlantic Council, and the Board of Trustees at the American University of Afghanistan, and my writing is featured in textbooks, op-eds, and policy journals. I am the former Chairman of the International Stability Operations Association and a member of Business Executives for National Security. I love to fly! I'm a multi-engine, instrument-rated private pilot. Articles & activity 5,049 followers Why We Read the Declaration of Independence Each July 4th - And Why We Make Others Read it, Too! Chris’ profile photo Chris Taylor Published on LinkedIn Each Independence Day, my wife Shella and I host a party at our home. Usually packed with friends and family, there is but one rule for admittance - you must read the Declaration of Independence, the birth certificate of our nation, before imbibing or eating. We provide a copy to everyone. At first, some made fun of us and tried to get to the burgers and beer without doing the requisite reading. But, our polite insistence became accepted, and fascinating conversations ensue every year. Too often, our founding documents are misquoted, misinterpreted, and misappropriated for superficial, political rants. But an in-depth study of the Declaration of Independence reveals the deep conversations the Founders had over the future of a new nation and the risks associated with what was to be interpreted (and intended) as a declaration of war. A five-person committee was established to draft the document - Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, Robert Livingston (who never signed the document), John Adams, and Roger Sherman were elected. The first draft, based on Jefferson's own preamble to the Virginia Constitution and George Mason's Virginia Declaration of Rights was changed some 86 times, shortening the document by 25%. When completed, the Lee Resolution for independence was adopted with a 12-0 vote (New York abstained). Once passed, Congress worked through July 3 and early July 4, 1776 to complete the Declaration itself, officially adopting it in the afternoon of July 4, 1776. It was not signed until August 2, 1776. This exceptional clip from HBO's, "John Adams" gives a sense of the moment when 2.5 million colonists decided to free themselves from a tyrannical government. At the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Ben Franklin famously said, "We must, indeed, all hang together, or, most assuredly, we will all hang separately." Interestingly, none of the signers were born American. How's that for immigration reform? Eat, drink, and be merry this weekend, but reflect on the courage of the Founding Fathers and those who fought the Revolutionary War. Read every word of the Declaration of Independence and ponder the commitment necessary to write the final words - "...we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor." Discuss, dissent, and debate our founding and how it began the greatest democratic experiment ever - America. Rebuff vapid, polemical, uncompromising, narrow-minded arguments and transform them into reasoned, well-informed discussion and action that advances America's prosperity and security. Be the citizen that you were meant to be - informed, involved, and independent thinking. Then, ask yourselves if we are living up to the spirit and intent of the Founders. Happy Independence Day! Much love, Chris, Shella, Lucy, and ET 229 13 Comments Like Comment Share See all articles No alt text provided for this image Well, no, not everyone has babies all the time. Women do. Also, when fortunate enough to have many accomplishments, which she does, choosing motherhood as her greatest accomplishment seems less like self-aggrandizement and more like self-awareness. Chris replied to a comment No alt text provided for this image But, is it your contention that Oracle has enough cloud game to perform on JEDI? Chris replied to a comment No alt text provided for this image Except it may not be a mess. Just because the Pentagon chooses a different path from that of an industry association, who wants more contractors involved, doesn't mean it's wrong. DoD cloud requirements could only be served by AWS, Microsoft, or Google. All others are still catching up - a lot. Chris replied to a comment See all activity Experience Govini Chief Executive Officer Company NameGovini Dates EmployedMay 2017 – Present Employment Duration2 yrs 5 mos LocationArlington, VA & San Francisco, CA Govini is a commercial data and analytics firm committed to transforming the business of government through data science. National security leaders use Govini to create the highest quality decision-grade information to advance America’s security and competitiveness. Govini was founded in 2011 and has offices in Arlington, Virginia, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and San Francisco, California. .govini .govini NSIN - National Security Innovation Network Senior Advisor Company NameNSIN - National Security Innovation Network Dates EmployedOct 2017 – Present Employment Duration2 yrs LocationThe Pentagon The National Security Innovation Network is creating a world that is better, safer, and stronger. NSIN is the heart of innovation for the Department of Defense. It works to enable communities of innovators through its education, collaboration and acceleration programs to reinvigorate civil-military technology collaboration to solve high-tech problems in the interest of national security. See less National Security Innovation Network National Security Innovation Network Georgetown University Adjunct Professor of National Security Studies Company NameGeorgetown University Dates EmployedJun 2014 – Present Employment Duration5 yrs 4 mos LocationWashington, DC I teach two graduate seminars in the Security Studies Program. "The Business of National Security" focuses on how the private sector and government interact to support America's national security str... See more Center for Security Studies | Georgetown University Center for Security Studies | Georgetown University Hacking4Defense@Georgetown Hacking4Defense@Georgetown The American University of Afghanistan Member of the Board of Trustees Company NameThe American University of Afghanistan Dates EmployedSep 2009 – Present Employment Duration10 yrs 1 mo LocationKabul, Afghanistan The American University of Afghanistan is Afghanistan’s only private, not-for-profit, non-partisan and co-educational university. It opened its doors in 2006 with an initial enrollment of 50 students, and today enrolls more than 1,700 full and part-time students. It has produced 29 Fulbright Scholars and maintains partnerships with the world’s most prestigious universities, including Stanford University, Georgetown University, and the University of California network. See less American University of Afghanistan American University of Afghanistan Novitas Group Founder & CEO Company NameNovitas Group Dates EmployedFeb 2012 – 2017 Employment Duration5 yrs LocationWashington D.C. Metro Area I founded and successfully led a team of top technology entrepreneurs who created a next-generation talent & opportunity matching platform for veterans used by the U.S. Special Operations Command and various non-profits. I was also named as one of Hillvets’ “100 of 2014... See more Tier 1 Group LLC Chairman Company NameTier 1 Group LLC Dates EmployedNov 2015 – Jul 2016 Employment Duration9 mos LocationCrawfordsville, AR T1G | Training You for Tomorrow's Threats T1G | Training You for Tomorrow's Threats Global Linguist Solutions Board Member Company NameGlobal Linguist Solutions Dates EmployedAug 2015 – Jul 2016 Employment Duration1 yr LocationHerndon, VA DynCorp International SVP, Strategy & Advanced Programs Company NameDynCorp International Dates EmployedJul 2015 – Jul 2016 Employment Duration1 yr 1 mo LocationMcLean, VA Mission Essential Personnel, LLC Company NameMission Essential Personnel, LLC Total Duration3 yrs 10 mos TitleChief Executive Officer Dates EmployedSep 2009 – Feb 2012 Employment Duration2 yrs 6 mos LocationColumbus, Ohio Area Promoted from SVP for Global Strategy. Aligned people, resources, and strategy for this 8,300-person company, managing growth from $185 million to $730 million in three years. TitleSenior Vice President for Global Strategy Dates EmployedMay 2008 – Sep 2009 Employment Duration1 yr 5 mos LocationColumbus, Ohio Area Responsible for assisting with the creation and implementation of corporate strategy, developing domestic and international new business, guiding government affairs and strategic communication, and leading marketing and advertising efforts. Justice Services International (JV with MEP, DECO, Sterling Global Operations) Chairman, Board of Managers Company NameJustice Services International (JV with MEP, DECO, Sterling Global Operations) Dates EmployedMay 2009 – Feb 2012 Employment Duration2 yrs 10 mos LocationWashington, DC Conceived and created JSI as a unique joint venture specially designed to support criminal justice, rule of law, and law enforcement training programs around the world. It is the only non-incumbent to win the Department of State's $10 billion Criminal Justice Program Support IDIQ contract. Show 3 more experiences Show fewer experiences Education Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government Degree NameMaster of Public Administration Field Of StudyPolitical Economy & International Security Dates attended or expected graduation 2007 – 2008 I was elected by the student body to lead our class into Harvard Yard for graduation. Selected as a member of the Defense Leadership Project at the Center for Public Leadership. Directed the Harvard Defense & Security Initiative. Media (1) This position has 1 media Harvard Kennedy School Harvard Kennedy School The College of William and Mary - The Mason School of Business The College of William and Mary - The Mason School of Business Degree NameMBA Field Of StudyStrategy and Leadership Dates attended or expected graduation 2000 – 2002 Elected Class President. Elected to the Dean's Cabinet and the Honor Council. Received the Dean's Award for Leadership and Service at graduation. Media (1) This position has 1 media Mason School of Business Mason School of Business Saint Leo University Saint Leo University Degree NameBA Field Of StudyAccounting & Business Administration Dates attended or expected graduation 1996 – 2000 Bishop Timon - St. Jude Bishop Timon - St. Jude Degree NameNYS Regent Field Of StudyLiberal Arts Dates attended or expected graduation 1981 – 1983 Activities and Societies: Soccer Media (1) This position has 1 media Boys College Prep School, WNY | Bishop Timon St. Jude High School Boys College Prep School, WNY | Bishop Timon St. Jude High School St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute Field Of StudyCollege Prep Dates attended or expected graduation 1979 – 1981 Activities and Societies: Football Media (1) This position has 1 media St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute: Buffalo, NY St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute: Buffalo, NY St. Thomas Aquinas St. Thomas Aquinas Field Of StudyGrammar School Dates attended or expected graduation 1974 – 1979 Activities and Societies: Baseball, basketball Calasanctius Calasanctius GradePrep II Dates attended or expected graduation 1973 – 1974